❌❌❌Rebuilding AJAX❌❌❌
AJAX are looking for ways to come out of the hole they've essentially dug themselves. It seems a lifetime ago but just over two years ago in February 2022, Ajax was on the peak of its powers...
Forum Discussion
@Danimal5981 wrote:
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Interesting. I make these lineups myself, as you know, and I don't take much notice of match ratings. I mainly choose from goals and assists, so Brobbey would definitely have been in mine in stead of de Jong, if I had made it. But it's interesting to see other approaches, and with goals/assists playing such a big part of my own choosing, my selection of attacking minded players is often also more accurate than my selection of defenders that is sometimes quite random. I do use number of clean sheets and goals conceded to select from, if no defenders have stood out in other ways. But maybe I should consider looking at the match ratings for defensive players too, providing a more accurate base for selection in the future.
The game pays much more attention to the tackling rate, positioning and passing of players and thereby paint a more complete picture.
Brian Brobbey, Luuk de Jong and other strikers are target players or poachers: they score a lot yes, but aren't really that actively involved in other parts of the field game, that's where this match rating comes in: the higher the rating of a player the higher his passing, interceptions and correct positioning.
I take that very much into account: when I start the game it's mostly about clean sheets and possession. From there, I try to be a bit more daring, more forward thinking. Currently, a lot goes well with this Ajax although my possession isn't always dominant and unless it's against a significantly lower team, my passing percentage is always lower than the opponent's. So, not only am I working on that in the current team, I'm also looking for future players that can help me with that next season, as I hope to make it into UEFA Champions League.
I'm looking for that perfect game:
Possession at least 2/3, no shots on target by the opponent, a passing rate over 90% and better than the opponent, plus at least 3-0 score or two per half (4-0) - that would be the ideal game for me. And after that challenge has been met, the thrill goes into repeating at as many times as possible against increasingly tougher opponents. In a Cruijffean Style (read: classic Total Football, something between modern Wing Play, Gegenpressing and Tiki Taka)
A tough defeat for Feyenoord and a mountain for them to climb to come back. All the more important for you to beat them, manifesting yourself as a hunter for the top two positions in stead of joining your arch rivals further down the table. Your tactical change at half time seems to have paid off. I often forget to do this myself, but when I do and it pays off, there is actually nothing sweeter. Good job, and good hunt against Twente and PSV.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:A tough defeat for Feyenoord and a mountain for them to climb to come back. All the more important for you to beat them, manifesting yourself as a hunter for the top two positions in stead of joining your arch rivals further down the table. Your tactical change at half time seems to have paid off. I often forget to do this myself, but when I do and it pays off, there is actually nothing sweeter. Good job, and good hunt against Twente and PSV.
You know, at first I thought I was having quite a realistic career with 3rd place and an on-and-off in Europa League by the winter break, but compared to Ajax-in-real-life I am actually underperforming a bit. In the last 8 days, they've defeated Feyenoord in Rotterdam (0-2, better than me), beat PSV 3-2 (I lost 1-4) and they smashed it in Europa League (5-0 win), where they now have collected 10 points after 4 games (I have 8 points after 6 games).
So, I need to find something extra in the second half of the season, because in real life it's looking more and more that they will be serious title contenders for both Eredivisie and Europa League.
A convincing win in Ireland secures the play-offs;
Final game against Tottenham for direct qualification to round of 16
@Danimal5981 wrote:You know, at first I thought I was having quite a realistic career with 3rd place and an on-and-off in Europa League by the winter break, but compared to Ajax-in-real-life I am actually underperforming a bit. In the last 8 days, they've defeated Feyenoord in Rotterdam (0-2, better than me), beat PSV 3-2 (I lost 1-4) and they smashed it in Europa League (5-0 win), where they now have collected 10 points after 4 games (I have 8 points after 6 games).
So, I need to find something extra in the second half of the season, because in real life it's looking more and more that they will be serious title contenders for both Eredivisie and Europa League.
Good to know! Ajax is a club I sympathize with, so I'm glad to learn they are improving IRL.
Nice win in Europe sealing the Playoffs. However, Tottenham can't be viewed as the favourite opponent to get into the Round of 16s... A tough draw with a painful history...
Edit: Sorry, I misread. You're playing Tottenham in match 8. I first read it as if you had played match 8 here and would play Tottenham in the two-legged Playoff match. Still a chance to advance directly then. Good luck against Spurs.
Drama! Interesting development with Berghuis. Ajax has a record of these things, don't they? Players not wanting to commit, then leaving them out of the squad.
I don't know exactly what happened with Nicolai Boilesen back in the day, but as reported in Danish media it was all about him not wanting to commit and sign a new deal, then he was left out of the squad for months. I do understand why they'd do this, securing their financial stability etc., especially after the Bosman ruling in the 1990's. Some players just end up getting caught in the crossfire in these contract situations.
Ajax' domestic form is impressive. Keep up the good work.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Drama! Interesting development with Berghuis. Ajax has a record of these things, don't they? Players not wanting to commit, then leaving them out of the squad.
I don't know exactly what happened with Nicolai Boilesen back in the day, but as reported in Danish media it was all about him not wanting to commit and sign a new deal, then he was left out of the squad for months. I do understand why they'd do this, securing their financial stability etc., especially after the Bosman ruling in the 1990's. Some players just end up getting caught in the crossfire in these contract situations.
Ajax' domestic form is impressive. Keep up the good work.
Yes, we demand loyalty and commitment - if a player gives another impression, Ajax can be known for an ice-cold club.
Generally, PSV is the 'warm, family-type' club, Feyenoord are the 'people's club', while Ajax demands perfection in attitude, behaviour and style of football.
UEFA Coefficients have been revised: new rankings will be shown at end of season.
Cat is out of the bag: Berghuis (33) leaves Ajax for Atlético on a FREE TRANSFER at the end of the season...
Not ideal to lose a player on a free transfer, but being a 33 year old I suppose you can't always expect a big money transfer for him anyway. Good to see the drama sorted quickly, so you know the outcome of the saga and are able to continue with the squad at hand. Only minus is having him for the next 6 months and not having the option to settle the move instantly.
Ferencvaros are certainly surprise winners of the league phase in the Europa League. Did not see that coming. Rangers will be a challenge, but I think I will put my money on Ajax for this one. Interesting draw, good luck with it.
Tough draw there, especially with a former player scoring against you. PSV taking advantage is also bad news. However, I remember from some of your previous Ajax careers that your rivals could sometimes fall into a horrible spell of bad form, so as long as you're still within 4-6 points, I wouldn't count you out just yet.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Tough draw there, especially with a former player scoring against you. PSV taking advantage is also bad news. However, I remember from some of your previous Ajax careers that your rivals could sometimes fall into a horrible spell of bad form, so as long as you're still within 4-6 points, I wouldn't count you out just yet.
The season objectives were to qualify for UEFA Champions League (1st or 2nd) and quarter finals in both the Dutch Cup and Europa League and at first I thought that was quite a mountain to climb, but now I'm getting more confident that all are doable, not just on what I'm able to do in-game but also from what I see in real life.
Having the upper hand in a rivalry can never be overestimated. That is just special and something to hold on to. Good for Ajax to go undefeated against their rivals and even beat them away from home. Looks like an even match with one side more clinical than the other.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Having the upper hand in a rivalry can never be overestimated. That is just special and something to hold on to. Good for Ajax to go undefeated against their rivals and even beat them away from home. Looks like an even match with one side more clinical than the other.
Well, it's like the article said: now is crunch time - and it might all end up quite dissappointing (then, at least we had the better of the arch rival), or it could've been the kick start of the period where things really turned up again for Ajax...
Poor result at Ibrox. And a poor performance too, it seems. With 4 attempts for and 22 against, you could probably have lost even bigger.
Still, calling out the right side of your defence with public criticism, I'm not sure what to think of that.
@JustinCase0110 wrote:Poor result at Ibrox. And a poor performance too, it seems. With 4 attempts for and 22 against, you could probably have lost even bigger.
Still, calling out the right side of your defence with public criticism, I'm not sure what to think of that.
It's controversial for sure, it gives the excuse to try something new, only to find out the cure is potentially worse than the illness...
Oooh, what an ending to that fixture! Losing the lead in the 77th, scoring a potential winner after 83, seeing the opponent score twice after that only to secure a point in injury time. Back and forth rollercoaster experience for sure. Too bad you lost a step in the title race. But what is perhaps more concerning is that this probably wasn't what you needed ahead of the 2nd leg in Europe, where you do have a mountain to climb.
